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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does the new man Melinda introduces Vic to say he works?

2. Who tries to convince Vic that he should not put up with Melinda's accusations?

3. What does Vic say he will give to Melinda if she wants to leave him?

4. What does Melinda make for dinner when Brian is visiting?

5. What do Vic and Melinda serve for dinner in Part III?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Don Wilson move out of town?

2. What inspires Brian's new poem?

3. What does Tony propose for dinner that makes Vic very angry?

4. How do Vic's and Melinda's friends react to Melinda's behavior after De Lisle's death?

5. Who attends the Mellers' barbecue in Part IV, and why is this strange?

6. Who does Vic confront about the hiring of a private investigator in Part III, and what does he find out?

7. What does Melinda do in Part III in order to hurt Vic?

8. What does June Wilson tell Vic about her husband?

9. In Part III, who tries to help Melinda prove Vic is a killer besides the private investigator?

10. What does Brian Ryder do while a guest in Vic's home that upsets Vic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why does Vic shower Melinda so extravagantly with gifts for her birthday, and how does she react to this display of affection? What does highsmith use the episode reveal about their relationship? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 2

When does Vic decide to kill Cameron, and how does he plan to get away with murder again? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why is the disdain and arrogance Highsmith highlights in Vic's character so central to his actions, especially towards the book's conclusion? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 552 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample